Little Elm Journal > News
Runoff Election results welcome new, familiar faces to the council
By Emily Hill, ehill@starlocalnews.com
Voting results for the Little Elm Town Council Runoff Election have been released by Denton County, naming two new faces, a familiar candidate and a returning incumbent to the council. These votes are unofficial until they are canvassed.
David Hillock has won the position of Mayor with 59 percent of the votes (579 ballots), defeating incumbent Charles Platt, who garnered 41 percent of the votes (410). Hillock kept his lead over Platt from the early voting results.
"I felt like we had a pretty good shot [winning], especially after the General Election," Hillock said. "It's very difficult in a runoff to keep the momentum going."
He explained that it is almost unheard of to maintain the same numbers from the General Election results into the Runoff Election as well as the level of interest from the community.
"To me, people were committed to making a change in the mayoral seat," Hillock said. "[Charles] ran a hard-fought race, and I appreciate the competition. I look forward to a new era for Little Elm."
Hillock attributes keeping the momentum going to communication and social media, which he said is new to Little Elm. Although he has an official election website, Facebook became his biggest tool in communication with the public, which he quickly utilized local Facebook groups within the town.
"We made a point in the campaign to over-communicate," Hillock said. "It was a big change for Little Elm politics. My opponent didn't use that to any degree, and that really showed [in the polls]."
Hillock plans to dive straight into the budget when he is sworn in on Tuesday at the next Little Elm Town Council meeting. He said the budget will be the biggest focus over the next few months. As for tonight's celebration of his win, he was enjoying dinner at Pick 6 Bar and Grill with some of the other candidates and those who've helped.
Holding a lead in early voting, District 3 incumbent Curtis Cornelious kept his seat with 54 percent of the returns (299) over his opponent Jason Olson, who had 46 percent (251).
"First I always thank God," Cornelious said, "and I thank all my supporters and everyone who believed in me. I look forward to serving the next three years with the integrity and honesty [I have given in the past]."
Cornelious plans to continue the productive growth in Little Elm and finish what he began three years ago when he was first elected to council.
"I thank Jason for running a good race [and] a good campaign, and I still look forward to working with him in whatever capacity," Cornelious said.
Cornelious' in-laws from Arkansas and Houston drove to Little Elm to help him garner votes today while polls were open. They held signs and waved at passing vehicles to get residents into Town Hall to vote in the election.
"I have great family support," Cornelious said.
In both District 5 and 4, fresh faces will be joining the council. Katie Gipson snagged the District 5 seat with 55 percent of the votes (129). Close behind her was Dan Jaworski, who received 45 percent (106).
"I'm overwhelmed," Gipson said. "I'm excited to get to work, and I want to also say it was a great campaign. I congratulate Dan also on a great race. We both ran a really good campaign, and it was a pleasure."
Gipson said her first order of business once she is sworn in is to look into the dispatch center staff for police and fire. As for tonight, she will be celebrating with her family at Pick 6 Bar and Grill.
For District 4, Chip Norman garnered 57 percent of the ballots (51) over his opponent Bob Burke, who had 43 percent (38). Norman could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.
To view the unofficial election results, visit the Denton County Election website at www.elections.dentoncounty.com.
David Hillock has won the position of Mayor with 59 percent of the votes (579 ballots), defeating incumbent Charles Platt, who garnered 41 percent of the votes (410). Hillock kept his lead over Platt from the early voting results.
"I felt like we had a pretty good shot [winning], especially after the General Election," Hillock said. "It's very difficult in a runoff to keep the momentum going."
He explained that it is almost unheard of to maintain the same numbers from the General Election results into the Runoff Election as well as the level of interest from the community.
"To me, people were committed to making a change in the mayoral seat," Hillock said. "[Charles] ran a hard-fought race, and I appreciate the competition. I look forward to a new era for Little Elm."
Hillock attributes keeping the momentum going to communication and social media, which he said is new to Little Elm. Although he has an official election website, Facebook became his biggest tool in communication with the public, which he quickly utilized local Facebook groups within the town.
"We made a point in the campaign to over-communicate," Hillock said. "It was a big change for Little Elm politics. My opponent didn't use that to any degree, and that really showed [in the polls]."
Hillock plans to dive straight into the budget when he is sworn in on Tuesday at the next Little Elm Town Council meeting. He said the budget will be the biggest focus over the next few months. As for tonight's celebration of his win, he was enjoying dinner at Pick 6 Bar and Grill with some of the other candidates and those who've helped.
Holding a lead in early voting, District 3 incumbent Curtis Cornelious kept his seat with 54 percent of the returns (299) over his opponent Jason Olson, who had 46 percent (251).
"First I always thank God," Cornelious said, "and I thank all my supporters and everyone who believed in me. I look forward to serving the next three years with the integrity and honesty [I have given in the past]."
Cornelious plans to continue the productive growth in Little Elm and finish what he began three years ago when he was first elected to council.
"I thank Jason for running a good race [and] a good campaign, and I still look forward to working with him in whatever capacity," Cornelious said.
Cornelious' in-laws from Arkansas and Houston drove to Little Elm to help him garner votes today while polls were open. They held signs and waved at passing vehicles to get residents into Town Hall to vote in the election.
"I have great family support," Cornelious said.
In both District 5 and 4, fresh faces will be joining the council. Katie Gipson snagged the District 5 seat with 55 percent of the votes (129). Close behind her was Dan Jaworski, who received 45 percent (106).
"I'm overwhelmed," Gipson said. "I'm excited to get to work, and I want to also say it was a great campaign. I congratulate Dan also on a great race. We both ran a really good campaign, and it was a pleasure."
Gipson said her first order of business once she is sworn in is to look into the dispatch center staff for police and fire. As for tonight, she will be celebrating with her family at Pick 6 Bar and Grill.
For District 4, Chip Norman garnered 57 percent of the ballots (51) over his opponent Bob Burke, who had 43 percent (38). Norman could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.
To view the unofficial election results, visit the Denton County Election website at www.elections.dentoncounty.com.
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